African Enterprise Clusters and Industrialization: Theory and Reality
Abstract
Using six case studies from Africa, this paper examines the theoretical argument that geographic and sectoral clustering enables enterprises to overcome constraints to growth and development. Findings were both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, the study underscored the strength of the collective efficiency framework, but found that certain anomalies could only be explained by other contextual variables. Grouping the six case studies revealed important differences among them, and showed that each group plays its own part in the industrialization process. “Groundwork” clusters prepare the way; “industrializing” clusters begin the process of specialization, differentiation, and technological development; and “complex industrial” clusters produce competitively for wider markets. The paper concludes with practical implications for African governments, donors, and the business community.
URI
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X99000741http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/39652
Citation
Dorothy Mccormick,African Enterprise Clusters and Industrialization: Theory and Reality,University of Nairobi,World Development Volume 27, Issue 9, September 1999, Pages 1531–1551Publisher
University of Nairobi Institute For Development Studies